We may never know what exactly happened to Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last week. The crocodile tears of the crown prince and other Saudi officials are probably for deception and prevarication. The disappearance of Khashoggi fits with a pattern of crude intimidation and the silencing of criticism and dissent.
Turkish sources are saying Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate Oct. 2 and his body secretly sent to the kingdom. Saudi dissidents said as much days ago. The Saudis have offered the Turks permission to search the consulate, which strongly suggests he was removed alive or dead by the Saudi security services.